And as long as they could see her at all, they followed with their eyes
her tall silhouette, which faded, growing smaller and smaller, seeming
to sink into the verdure of the fields.
When they were leaving the barracks the week after, Jean said to Luc:
"Oughtn't we to buy her something good?"
They were in great embarrassment before the problem of the choice of a
delicacy for the girl with the cow. Luc was of the opinion that a
little tripe would be the best, but Jean preferred some berlingots
because he was fond of sweets. His choice fairly made him enthusiastic,
and they bought at a grocer's two sous' worth of white and red candies.
They ate their breakfast more rapidly than usual, being nervous with
expectation.
Jean saw her first. "There she is!" he cried. Luc added: "Yes, there
she is."
While yet some distance off she laughed at seeing them. Then she cried:
"Is everything going as you like it?"
And in unison they asked:
"Are you getting on all right?"
Then she conversed, talked to them of simple things in which they felt
an interest--of the weather, of the crops, and of her master.
They were afraid to offer her the candies, which were slowly melting
away in Jean's pocket.
At last Luc grew bold, and murmured:
"We have brought you something."